Just In: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) shortlisted Cricket for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympic Games 2028. The last time cricket featured in Olympic Games was in 1900, in which host France and Great Britain were the only participants.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, the International Cricket Committee is formally inivited by IOC and LA28 to represent their case. However, the Official Decision is expected to be announced during the next IOC meeting, scheduled somewhere in mid of 2023 in Mumbai, India.
Apart from the inclusion of Cricket in the Olympics 2028, eight other sports might become part of the Los Angeles Olympics 2022. These Sports are Baseball/Softball, Flag Football, Lacrosse, Breakdancing, Karate, Kickboxing, Squash, and Racing.
Notably, cricket has been successfully instigated in Commonwealth Games 2022 after ICC and England Cricket Board requested Commonwealth Games Committee. ICC is once again hopeful of convincing the IOC on this similar matter.
The ongoing Commonwealth Games 2028 also features Women T20 Cricket for the first time in the history. According to the ICC CEO Geoff Allardice, “Cricket is an excellent position and it has been a standout attraction at the 2022 Commonwealth games.”
“We’ve seen from the Commonwealth Games how much the World’s Best Players have enjoyed playing in front of big crowds and what I’m sure will be large TV Audience”, Allardice told ESPNcricinfo.
The Commonwealth Games 2022 includes 8-cricketing teams from all parts of the world. These teams, include Pakistan, India, Barbados, Australia, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.